Are We Changing Our Students' Attitudes and Work Interest Toward the Increasing Geriatric Population?
Purpose/Hypothesis:
Patient demographics indicate that on average, 47% of patients treated are 66 or older, however fewer students enter the field of PT or OT expressing an interest in Geriatrics. The purpose of this study was to describe the changes that occur to DPT and MOT students’ attitudes and willingness to work with aging adults throughout their entry level curriculum.
Number of Subjects:
115 DPT students, 91 MOT students
Materials and Methods:
Utilizing a pre-test/post-test study design, written surveys and likert scales were used to assess changes in DPT and MOT student attitudes and willingness to work with the older adult throughout their professional education. The Facts on Aging Questionnaire (FAQ), Attitude toward Older adult scale (ATOAS), and a numeric scale expressing student work interest with the geriatric population were administered at different points in the curriculum. A score was also given to each student’s written definition of “the older patient” at each of these points.
Results:
Significant improvement in ATOAS scores and work interest scores were noted for all student cohorts.Those students who initially expressed low work interest also showed significant improvement in scores by completion of their program.
Conclusions:
Findings suggest that students continue to arrive with limited interest in Geriatrics and that attitude and willingness to work with the older adult can be changed through exposure to geriatric content in professional program curriculum.
Clinical Relevance:
Early and ongoing positive exposure to geriatric content demonstrates positive changes in attitude and interest in working with the rapidly growing older population.